Journal of cardiac surgery
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A variety of surgical techniques are used to manage a disintegrated aortic annulus in patients with endocarditis and excavating aortic root sepsis. Homograft root replacement is preferable in this setting but suitable homografts are restricted in availability and excision of the aortic root carries the risk of postoperative bleeding. As an alternative we used a stentless porcine xenograft root (Medtronic Freestyle valve) to manage this problem. ⋯ The stentless porcine aortic root implanted within the human aorta provides an additional surgical option for excavating aortic root sepsis.